"I feel a bit better," Ren put on his jacket after he was done getting IV in Tos.h.i.+ro's office. "She's alone now. I couldn't possibly leave her like that."

"Alright, you do you," Tos.h.i.+ro heaved out a sigh. He straightened his back, both of his hands were placed inside the pockets of his doctor's gown. He took a step toward his friend. "It's already a miracle for you to come willingly to the hospital even just for a low fever. Before this, even when your temperature got to 39°C you were still stubborn and continue doing your work."

Ren took his phone from the coffee table. He looked at the dark screen. There was no message from her. Without looking back at Tos.h.i.+ro, he said, "I have her and our child in my life now. I should take better care of myself for their sakes."

Tos.h.i.+ro pursed his lips. He had known it. If not for his sister-in-law, this ice block wouldn't easily admit defeat in front of a mere fever. He really should learn how to tame this man from his sister-in-law, just in case he needed it.

"Just don't forget to take a few more days of rest. Don't overexert yourself. You've just been recovering."

Ren nodded silently. He waved at Tos.h.i.+ro without looking back as he left the room. Tos.h.i.+ro could only sigh again. This friend of his was really unpredictable. He watched until the tall figure disappeared at one of the corners.

"How's Madam?" Ren immediately asked Hibiki once he saw the younger man standing beside the car waiting for him.

"Madam is currently resting at home, Master. Old Yuuzo has sent dinner to Spring Garden for you and Madam. As per your request, I've asked Madam to eat first without waiting for you," Hibiki swiftly reported the situation. Ren nodded in satisfaction.

The car left the hospital ground, entering the wide road ahead of them leading to Spring Garden.

Inside the car, Ren rested his head on the headrest. He closed his eyes shut. Even though he didn't mean too, but his conversation with Akas.h.i.+ was still ringing in his ears. He was tempted to explore the new possibilities that came with the finding of the Fujioka Family but he knew he shouldn't act rashly when his body was weakened.

Sigh... What a bad time to get a fever.

The clock had just struck to 10 PM by the time he arrived. The lights inside the duplex condominium were only dimly lit. Ren sluggishly kicked off his shoes. He took off his jacket as he walked toward the living room. His head was throbbing. He repeatedly rubbed his temple, trying to ease his pain. As he lifted his eyes from the floor, he saw her.

Ren paused on his steps. His dark eyes landed on her pet.i.te frame.

She was curling up on the couch, her eyes closed. It was clear that she was waiting for him to arrive home despite her own sleepiness.

Ren took slow steps toward her. He carefully sat down beside Tsubaki, maintaining quite a distance. As if she was sensing someone was sitting next to her, her eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. Tsubaki was in a daze as she looked at him before her senses came back.

"You're back," Tsubaki smiled softly. She lowered down her feet from the couch. Her right hand raised up, she placed the back of her hand on his forehead. "Your body is still hot. Have you eaten, darling? Grandma sent dinner to us."

"I've heard," Ren answered quietly. "You shouldn't wait for me, sweetheart. Return to our room and have your sleep, okay?"

"How about you?" Tsubaki took in everything about him that she could see. His face was pale and the way his eyes drooped was evident enough to show that he wasn't in his good health. Tsubaki stood up, getting ready to help him to go upstairs even though she knew he could still walk. "Here, let me help you. You need to rest earlier, hubby. I'll bring the medicine and dinner soon after this."

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"No, sweetheart," Ren quickly dodged her touch. "I don't want to infect you. I'll sleep in the second bedroom tonight. You don't have to worry about me."

"Darling, it's okay. It's just a fever," Tsubaki tried to persuade him. "Come, let's go upstairs. Change your clothes and lie down for a bit before I bring dinner."

Ren pursed his lips. When he saw the hidden determination in her eyes despite her soft voice coaxing him, he knew he could only relent to her. In the end, he agreed. "Okay."

Tsubaki smiled. Both of them went upstairs but Ren was still distancing himself from her. Tsubaki sighed inwardly. She was just glad because he didn't look as terrible as she had imagined.

"Alright, lie down," Tsubaki said after Ren changed into a set of home clothes. She plumped the pillows, urging him to come to the bed. "I'm afraid the dinner would need to take some time since Grandma sent the usual dishes. You need to eat something liquidy, I'll prepare porridge for you."

Ren nodded, he felt like the throbbing of his head had worsened. He grunted as he laid down on the bed. Tsubaki carefully tucked him in, she knew his muscles must probably aching right now. After making sure he was comfortable under the blanket, she adjusted the air conditioning of the room.

"You can go, sweetheart," Despite his throat started feeling sore, he still wanted to speak to her. "I just need some rest."

Tsubaki hummed softly. Before he could protest, she already leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Sleep first, hubby. I'll wake you up once the porridge is done," Tsubaki smiled funnily when she saw he was trying to argue with her. She ran her fingers over his hair, the light touch of hers felt like a b.u.t.terfly fluttering its wings on his skin.

After one last look, Tsubaki left the room. Ren stared at her disappearing figure. A light smile curved up faintly on the corners of his lips.

In the kitchen, Tsubaki began her preparation. She planned to cook chicken and corn porridge for him. Earlier, freshly harvested summer corns were sent by the old house together with dinner.

Thank goodness she had already brought out the frozen chicken part from the freezer once she got home. The meat had thawed properly. She hoped the sweet taste of the corn could capture his appet.i.te during his fever.

While the porridge was cooked on the stove, Tsubaki returned upstairs. A sight of him sleeping deeply on the bed greeted her view, she smiled softly. Her steps were quiet as she walked toward the bed. Tsubaki reached out one hand and felt his forehead, it was still hot as before.

"You really need to rest," Tsubaki muttered in the quiet room. Her eyes trained on his face. He didn't look peaceful even in his sleep, probably due to the fever. "You always want to overexert yourself."

Tsubaki turned her head to her side of the bed. She took the big cat toy and placed it beside her husband. She stifled a giggle as she found it cute seeing them lying side by side. After a moment, she went back to the kitchen.

Ren slept deeply with the cat toy accompanying him.

Tsubaki had just stepped past the living room when a ringtone rang in the air. She paused her steps. It was Ren's personal phone. Tsubaki turned around. She found the phone lying on the coffee table.

When did he leave it here?

As the ringing continued, Tsubaki had no choice but to get it. She looked at the Caller ID. Akas.h.i.+'s name was displayed on the screen. Without waiting for another moment, she swiped the screen to answer the call.

"He..."

"Ren! I've found it! It might be small but we could use the info to get the others!" Akas.h.i.+'s excited voice cut off Tsubaki from finis.h.i.+ng her h.e.l.lo. She was baffled since she didn't expect to be bombarded with Akas.h.i.+'s loud voice.

Knowing that his friend had always p.r.o.ne to keep silent when he was speaking, Akas.h.i.+ continued. "The youngest daughter of the Fujioka couple was supposed to be in her 50s this year, matching the age of the one we're looking for. There are also traces of her connection with that man. Although I haven't known about their supposed relations.h.i.+p, we could say it's a huge finding. We could even find Nakamura Sumire like this!"

Tsubaki's lips parted as her mind froze once she heard him. She didn't expect to get such information just by answering this call. Silence fell on Akas.h.i.+'s side as he sensed something was wrong.

"h.e.l.lo? Ren? Are you there?" Akas.h.i.+ furrowed his brows, feeling weird.

"He's sleeping," Tsubaki's soft voice came through the line, startling Akas.h.i.+. "You said you found Fujioka Masami?"

"Err... sister-in-law... I..." Akas.h.i.+ was at a loss of words. Why did she is the one who answered the phone? Where is Ren? Oh, right. He's sleeping. But...

"Sister-in-law, I just..." Akas.h.i.+ was at a loss of words. For the first time, he couldn't use his witty senses.

"Who's that man you said earlier?" Tsubaki cut him off, even though her voice was still soft but it carried a hint of resolute, deterring him from trying to outwit her. "Do I know him?"

"Err..."

I'm doomed!

Akas.h.i.+ cried in his heart.